More on LinuxToday

VNUnet: Ecommerce spurs race to develop secure OS

"Leading the way, at least in terms of its ability to
generate publicity, is Bastille Linux, a project based on the Red
Hat Linux distribution that aims to create a secure Linux suitable
for the tens of thousands of new Linux users. Originally
proposed to solve the problem of distributing a free,
self-installing copy of Linux to new users in universities, the
stunning popularity of Linux as a web and FTP server has convinced
its co-operative team of Open Source developers to make Bastille
Linux suitable for non-academic users. They would typically be the
lone network manager that configures and maintains internet-facing
systems in small to medium-sized businesses.

Bastille Linux's development team, co-ordinated by University of
Maryland administrator Jon Lasser, is trying to solve that problem
by scripting the Linux install routine to lock the system down
tightly. But they want the installation routine to ask
administrators if they want particular options enabled and
crucially to explain the implications of saying 'yes'.

'As far as security goes Linux security is excellent - for those
who have the time and knowledge to secure it properly,' says
Lasser. 'All we're doing is making that part easier. It's a very
small piece of the puzzle.' However, each part of the puzzle
requires an enormous amount of work."